Baseline SurveyCompiling basic information for a cat conservation programme

Urs Breitenmoser, Christine Breitenmoser-Würsten & Manuela von Arx

IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group

1. Aims of the survey

2. Survey area and approach

3. Field work

4. Analyses and results

Baseline SurveyCompiling basic information for a cat conservation programme

Urs Breitenmoser, Christine Breitenmoser-Würsten & Manuela von Arx

IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group

1. Aims of survey 2. Area and methods 3. Field work 4. Analyses and results

1. Aims of the survey

���� What is a “baseline survey”?

Typical:

• Limited knowledge

• Broad approach

• Simple (cheap) methodology

� Cat species presence/absence

� Prey species presence/absence

� Assumed trends of cat and prey

� Possible conflicts (e.g. depredation)

� Attitudes of (local) people

1. Aims of survey 2. Area and methods 3. Field work 4. Analyses and results

1. Aims of the survey

2 – Where do we start from?

3 – Where do we want to go?

4 – How do we get there?

6 – Are we on theright way?

5 – Ready, steady, go!

1 – Shall we venture on a mountain hike together?

���� Why do we need a baseline survey?

1. Aims of survey 2. Area and methods 3. Field work 4. Analyses and results

1. Aims of the survey

���� Why do we need a baseline survey?

6

Monitoring

& Revisionof Strategy and

NAP

1

PreparationIdentify species,

area, and

partners2

Status ReviewExpert assessment

of status and

threats

3

Strategyplanning at

international

level

4

Action Planat national or

local level

5

Implementationof actions according

to Action Plan

End of

Project

1. Aims of survey 2. Area and methods 3. Field work 4. Analyses and results

1. Aims of the survey

���� How are baseline surveys done?

Simple/cheap methodology:

• Rapid assessment methods

• Compilation of existing information (statistics)

• Questionnaires (mail or interviews)

Broad approach:

• Total potential area � e.g. Raster Survey

• Consistent sampling � interviews/questionnaires per unit

• Not detailed information, but complete overview

1. Aims of survey 2. Area and methods 3. Field work 4. Analyses and results

1. Aims of the survey

���� Who is involved in a baseline survey?

Researchers and conservationists (senior/students):

• Study design, analyses and reporting

• Unbiased data collection (neutral position in conflicts)

• Overview of entire study area

• Contact with local people

Local people:

• Main source of information

• Learn about the conservation programme

• Get in contact with researchers/conservationists

• Can express their views and concerns

1. Aims of survey 2. Area and methods 3. Field work 4. Analyses and results

Situation before

Baseline Survey:

• AL, MK, (MN), (KO)

• ELOIS 2004: 80 – 105

• Critically Endangered

• Expert opinion

• No field survey

1. Case study: Baseline survey for Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus)

1. Aims of the survey

1. Aims of survey 2. Area and methods 3. Field work 4. Analyses and results

Collect systematically and consistently information on:

• Lynx presence/absence and perceived trends

• Co-predator presence/absence and perceived trends (control)

• Potential prey presence/absence and perceived trends

• Conflicts between rural people and carnivores/wildlife

• Peoples attitudes towards large carnivores

• Knowledge of (protective) laws and hunting practices

• Livestock populations and livestock husbandry

• Living conditions and general use of nature and wildlife

Each individual local person may be wrong, but the compiled knowledge of local people brings a wealth of information!Each individual local person may be wrong, but the compiled knowledge of local people brings a wealth of information!

2. Survey area and approach

1. Aims of survey 2. Area and methods 3. Field work 4. Analyses and results

2. Survey area and approach

1. Aims of survey 2. Area and methods 3. Field work 4. Analyses and results

Defining the study area

• Study area defined as „ELOIS plus“

• Overlaid with 10x10 km grid � 73

cells in MK and 63 in AL

• ≥1 village randomly selected per cell

• ≥5 interviews per village or cell

• Predefined target groups: hunters,

game wardens, foresters, shepherds,

farmers, shop-owners

1. Aims of survey 2. Area and methods 3. Field work 4. Analyses and results

Questionnaire with 4 main parts:

1. Presence and distribution of large mammals (carnivores & ungulates)

2. Existence of conflicts related with these species

3. Animal husbandry details

4. Information on socio-economic environment of village

2

2. Survey area and approach

3. Field work

1. Aims of survey 2. Area and methods 3. Field work 4. Analyses and results

• Period of survey: August 2006 – July 2007

• Sample size: 553 interviews in Macedonia

and 320 in Albania

• Direct interviews (face to face,

questionnaire filled in by researcher)

4. Analyses and results

1. Aims of survey 2. Area and methods 3. Field work 4. Analyses and results

Same analyses, interpretation and

presentation for both countries!

4. Analyses and results – lynx distribution and trend

1. Aims of survey 2. Area and methods 3. Field work 4. Analyses and results

no data

not assessible

slight decrease

slight increase

slight stable

strong decrease

strong stable

4. Analyses and results – lynx and roe deer presence

1. Aims of survey 2. Area and methods 3. Field work 4. Analyses and results

Basic information for direct

comparison in the field!

4. Analyses and results – depredation on livestock by large carnivores

1. Aims of survey 2. Area and methods 3. Field work 4. Analyses and results

MacedoniaAlbania

Conclusions

1. Aims of survey 2. Area and methods 3. Field work 4. Analyses and results

Baseline survey

… was the first systematic “challenge” of expert opinions;

… confirmed some of the knowledge/believes, but

corrected others;

… provided qualitative and semi-quantitative

information across the entire potential range;

… helped raising awareness among local people

and administrators;

… introduced researchers and students to local

people (and their problems);

… allowed to plan the subsequent field work

more accurately.